Nursing Assistant Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$46,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $42,260
State Rank
#13 of 51
10,220 employed here

How much does a Nursing Assistant make in Rhode Island?

Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island take home a median of $46,440 annually — roughly $22.33 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $42,260.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $39,220 while the top 10% make $54,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,760 and $47,460 a year.

Nursing Assistant salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,220$18.86
25th percentile (early career)$44,760$21.52
50th percentile (median)$46,440$22.33
75th percentile (experienced)$47,460$22.82
90th percentile (top earners)$54,950$26.42

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories for Nursing Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$49,830
2Washington$49,180
3New York$48,590
4New Hampshire$47,870
5District of Columbia$47,700

Working as a Nursing Assistant in Rhode Island

Nationally, about 1,449,000 people work as Nursing Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare Rhode Island pay ($46,440) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Nursing Assistant make in Rhode Island?
The median Nursing Assistant salary in Rhode Island is $46,440 per year, or about $22.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,220 at the entry level to $54,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Nursing Assistants about 10% more than the national median of $42,260. Rhode Island ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Nursing Assistants?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,440 a year. About 10,220 Nursing Assistants are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Nursing Assistant salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.